Dr. Robert Lanza, Chief Scientific Officer of Ocata Therapeutics Awarded the Honor of iPSC Industry Influencer
September 03 2015 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
Ocata Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OCAT), a leader in the field of
Regenerative Ophthalmology™, today announced that Dr. Robert Lanza,
Chief Scientific Officer of Ocata Therapeutics has been awarded the
honor of iPSC industry influencer by BioInformant, a leading
research firm serving the stem cell sector. Dr. Lanza was honored
both for his specific involvement in early-stage, pioneering
research in the area of induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, or “iPSCs”,
as well as for his influence as CSO of Ocata, a clinical-stage
biotechnology company focused on commercialization of regenerative
medicine and cell therapy technologies.
“Dr. Lanza’s pioneering research in cell therapies has made a
significant contribution to the invention and development of
potential products to treat diseases with no cures or effective
treatments available,” said Paul K. Wotton, President and CEO of
Ocata. “Bob’s vision has enabled Ocata to create a leadership
position in pluripotent stem cell technology, including hESC and
iPSC programs, that offer hope for safe and effective treatments
for eye diseases such as macular degeneration, retinosa pigmentosa
and glaucoma, as well as autoimmune diseases including lupus,
Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis, amongst others.”
Since Dr. Yamanaka discovered how to generate iPSCs in 2007,
there has been tremendous enthusiasm about the potential to use
these pluripotent cells to develop commercially viable therapies.
Ocata Therapeutics was one of the first companies to begin
exploring iPSCs for clinical purposes and has conducted research
into overcoming technical challenges associated with iPSCs, such as
increased cell death, early senescence, and limited growth and
expansion capability.
Dr. Lanza’s work in the area of iPSCs also received wide-spread
recognition in 2009 when he and a team led by Kwang-Soo Kim at
Harvard University reported a method for generating human iPSCs
from skin cells via direct delivery of proteins, which removed the
risks associated with genetic manipulation. This method created a
significantly safer and less controversial source of
patient-specific iPSCs for use in clinical applications. The
Editors of the journal Nature selected Lanza and Kim’s paper
on protein reprogramming as one of five “Research Highlights” of
2009. Dr. Lanza and his team have also discovered how to turn iPSCs
into a wide range of important replacement cell types, including
universal platelets, red blood cells, as well as ocular cell types
such as photoreceptors, and ganglion cells, which have the
potential to provide therapies for some of the world's most
debilitating eye conditions.
About Ocata Therapeutics, Inc.
Ocata Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biotechnology
company focused on the development and commercialization of
regenerative ophthalmology therapeutics. Ocata’s most advanced
products are in clinical trials for the treatment of Stargardt’s
macular degeneration, dry age-related macular degeneration, and
myopic macular degeneration. Ocata’s intellectual property
portfolio includes pluripotent stem cell platforms – hESC and
induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) – and other cell therapy
research programs. For more information, visit www.ocata.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements, other than historical facts, contained in this
news release, including statements regarding Ocata’s future
expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, results or prospects expressed
by management constitute forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Any statements that are not statements of historical fact
(including statements containing the words “will,” “believes,”
“plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” and similar
expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking
statements. There are a number of important factors that could
cause actual results or events to differ materially from those
indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: the fact
that Ocata has no product revenue and no products approved for
marketing; Ocata’s limited operating history; Ocata’s need for and
limited sources of future capital; potential failures or delays in
obtaining regulatory approval of products; risks inherent in the
development and commercialization of potential products; reliance
on new and unproven technology in the development of products; the
need to protect Ocata’s intellectual property; the challenges
associated with conducting and enrolling clinical trials; the risk
that the results of clinical trials may not support Ocata’s product
candidate claims; the risk that physicians and patients may not
accept or use Ocata’s products, even if approved; Ocata’s reliance
on third parties to conduct its clinical trials and to formulate
and manufacture its product candidates; and economic conditions
generally. Additional information on potential factors that could
affect our results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed
from time to time in Ocata’s periodic reports, including its Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.
Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and
expectations of Ocata’s management at the time they are made, and
Ocata does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking
statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other
circumstances should change. Forward-looking statements are based
on the beliefs, opinions, and expectations of Ocata’s management at
the time they are made, and Ocata does not assume any obligation to
update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions,
expectations, or other circumstances should change. There can be no
assurance that Ocata’s future clinical trials will be successful or
that the results of previous clinical studies will lead to
commercialization or products or therapies.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150903005739/en/
Ocata Therapeutics, Inc.Investors:Westwicke PartnersJohn
Woolford, 443-213-0506john.woolford@westwicke.comorPress:Russo
PartnersDavid Schull,
858-717-2310david.schull@russopartnersllc.com
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